Good Bye Joe.

Joe Lewis, 68, was World Professional Heavyweight Champion full contact kick boxing (for ten years no one ever lasted past the 2nd round ) He passed away yesterday from cancer. The martial arts community mourns his passing.

I met Joe Lewis the summer of 1972. I was teaching in the Tracy Kenpo School in St. Louis Missouri. Tim Golby the owner had gone to Tracy central training in East Orange New Jersey. I was sent in to help cover the school while he was away. After his return Joe came to the school to do a sparring seminar. We spent time together after the seminar and enjoyed a burger at Steak & Shake. I still remember Joe in his purple paisley puffy sleeve shirt sitting across the table from me.

Several months later I was sent to St. Petersburg to cover the Kenpo School of Dave Meredith, a student of the famous Kenpo instructor J.T. Will, while he was at central training. After his return, Joe came to St. Pete and I was fortunate enough to train with Joe again.

Six months later I was sent to Vancouver B.C. to cover a company owned Tracy Franchise and you guessed it, Joe came to Vancouver for another seminar. About a year later Joe left the Tracy organization and so did I. I opened an independent Kenpo school in Burnaby B.C. and then another in North Vancouver. I called Joe and he agreed to come and give seminars in my schools. I found Joe liked to snow ski and Vancouver has some of the best in the world. Joe did three more seminars for me over the next few years.

I was fortunate to have spent so many hours training with Joe. I believe he was not only the best fighter ever but also one of the best instructors I ever trained with. He put together his famous fighting system with Bruce Lee. I believe his major accomplishment was that he built a vocabulary to illustrate the mechanics of sparring that could not only be learned but then used to pass on the knowledge to my students. He made me a much better black belt and a much better sensei and helped me to fill my rice bowl for many years. I will always appreciate his contribution to the martial arts and his professionalism. We will miss him.

Shihan JIM Rathbone

New: Kenpo Technique Catalog

over the next several month I am going to add an example of every Kenpo technique I can find from not only our system but I will include American Kenpo and Tracy's Kenpo systems as well. Keep checking back as it will be updated on a weekly basis. Click here to start exploring.

Learn White Tiger Kenpo as a Distant Student

1. Home Study Course: Is for someone that wants to learn in the privacy of their own home and at their own pace and schedule. All you need to do is purchase the the dvd's for the level you are trying to achieve and when you are ready you send us a video to test. You can also save money by purchasing the complete set. Click here to learn more about our Kenpo Home Study Program.

Everyone is welcome at White Tiger Kenpo Jujits:

At White Tiger Kenpo Jujits anyone who has a desire to learn the martial arts are welcome to study this efficient martial arts system, a style with roots in China, Japan, Okinawa, and early 20th century Hawaii. We study the style known as White Tiger Kenpo Jujits, developed by founder Jim Rathbone Soke.

Your martial arts journey here allows us the chance to share meaningful information about the precision and effectiveness of martial art training in Kenpo Jujits. It is our sincere hope your visit provides you with an enhanced perspective of who we are, along with a basic understanding of our martial art style. Regardless of the martial art you currently study or have previously studied, the martial discipline of Kenpo Jujits (Jujitsu) has significant value as an added martial arts skill, or as a stand alone martial art form of self defense.

Unique training program that includes:

• NO CONTRACTS
• One 30 minute private lesson each week
• Unlimited access to group classes
• An introductory program that allows you to explore the study of Kenpo.
• Click here to find out about our training program

Kenpo Store: Your source for Kenpo/Karate Martial Arts Supplies

At White Tiger Kenpo we have self-defense videos for the beginner, intermediate and advanced martial artist. During 20 years of teaching and evolving Kenpo, White Tiger Kenpo has produced a series of videos that will take you through the basics, forms and self-defense techniques with clarity and detail. Each gives a thorough explanation of every move with its underlying body mechanics.

Kenpo is the original Mixed Martial Arts or MMA

Kenpo karate is a unique mixed martial art or MMA that traces it's near history to the Pa lama settlement on Oahu, Hawaii. It is based on approximately 150 self defense patterns cataloged by the members of the Black Belt Society, whose members included William Chow who was Adriano Emperado (Kenpo) instructor, Walter Choo (Karate), Joe Holck (Judo), Frank Ordonez (Jujutsu), and George C. Chang. Ed Parker another of William Chow's student brought Kenpo to the U.S. in the 1950’s and established American Kenpo as his style. The Tracy Brothers who were Parker students established the Tracy Kenpo based on these same techniques. The true origins of these self defense patterns are unknown but many theories and legends abound.

Why we use Jujits in our name

The term Jujits that we use in White Tiger Kenpo Jujits was the Japanese pronunciation used prior to WWII. The American pronunciation was adopted just as many idioms and transliterations were adopted into the Japanese language.
The Term Jujits refers to our training methods not the use of grappling as the primary martial techniques
Kenpo was the original Mixed Martial Art also know know as MMA. It has become a well respected system. But it began as 150 self defense patterns cataloged by the Black Belt Society.

Private AND Group instruction at group-only rates

At White Tiger Kenpo Jujits all students will receive private instruction as well as unlimited group instruction in their martial arts training. This is done at a cost that is no greater than group lessons alone would be at other karate & martial arts schools. There are many reasons for this, not the least of which is you can learn much faster with private instruction. Many people feel self-conscious in a group, especially when they are learning something new. They do not want to look stupid if they make a mistake. This self-consciousness detracts from learning. With White Tiger Kenpo Jujits private instruction the student can concentrate better, without distraction from others watching. Here is some other reasons to make an appointment to start your introductory course today .

• Learn 7 to 17 times faster than receiving only group instruction
• Unlimited Groups (3 days per week) for your or your whole family
• Learn at your own pace         
• No stress or embarrassment
• Study at a time convenient for you
• The most complete system of martial arts in the world.
• Build confidence as we teach you martial arts for self-defense
• Over 600 self defense scenarios taught step by step

What is the differences between White Tiger Kenpo and other forms of Kenpo or Kenpo

• The primary difference is the use of circular power patterns or soft style vs. the linear or hard style of the Tracy's or American Kenpo. This is primarily based on the study of Bruce Lee’s power patterns and deceptive movement theory as taught to Shihan Jim Rathbone by Joe Lewis. Joe Lewis was World Professional Heavy Weight Champion full contact karate. For over 10 years Lewis was undefeated.
• We incorporate the use of deceptive movement theory into not just karate style sparring but all initiation of techniques.
• The way we train is much more like Kajukenbo, jujitsu or judo, making sure each student understands fully the hands on mechanics of each technique and can use his or her knowledge in the street. We don't karate spar we Kenpo spar using the techniques.
• While White Tiger Kenpo is primary a standing self defense system, we understand and teach ground fighting. We have incorporated, chokes and strangles, locks and dislocation and other Jujits finishing techniques into the curriculum from DiatoRyu Aki Jujitsu blending them into the Kenpo self defense techniques.

If you are interested in professional one on one training under a qualified black belt, not you and 40 other people (or kids) trying to see what's going on. No waiting for your two minutes with the instructor. Give us a call at (727) 232-3746.

Classes

We offer a combination of Private lessons with group classes. The White Tiger Kenpo Jujits dojo offers the only definitive instruction for White Tiger Kenpo Jujits in the Tampa, Clearwater area.

Please call 727-232-3746 if you are interested in an introductory course of 4 private lessons to determine first-hand whether you are interested in studying White Tiger Kenpo.

The students of White Tiger Kenpo Jujits highly respect those that have come before us and recognize their contributions to the development of Kenpo. We honor them with our deepest gratitude.

When I wrote my book James Mitose and the Path of Kenpo

I looked beyond the traditional stories and looked strictly at the knowledge or curriculum as it was passed to today’s Kenpo practitioners.

We know what knowledge Ed Parker brought to the US mainland in the 50’s because we have video footage of Parker himself along with documentation by the Tracy’s who turned the knowledge to a dogma and created the first Kenpo curriculum for a commercial school.

I researched the history of the times both in the US (pre statehood Hawaii) and in Japan. I tracked the sources of martial knowledge and the path it had followed up to the time of the beginnings of Mitose’s Self Defense club. Then followed the path to where we are today. I hope you will enjoy walking the path of knowledge with me.

JIM Rathbone

Kenpo Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's):

If you still have questions about White Tiger Kenpo check out our FAQ's for answers to your questions

Learn Kenpo from Home

Now at White Tiger Kenpo Jujits you can learn from anywhere in the world. If there is not a White Tiger Kenpo Jujits school in your area you can Learn with our Home Study Course

Start your own Kenpo school or club:

Are you a Black Belt in the martial arts? 18 years or older? Want to work for yourself ? We have the business opportunity for you as a White Tiger Kenpo school. For more information on this please contact Shihan Jim Rathbone.

Attention Former White Tiger Kenpo Students, Get free DVD's Just send us your name the last rank you completed.

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Kenpo Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Class Times

Private Lessons:
Mon Wed Friday: 12:00 - 6:30
Tues, Thurs 12:00 - 7:30

Group Class Times:
Mon, Wed, Fri
7:00 - 8:00 PM

Contact Information

Phone: 727-232-3746

Email: Instructor

Membership

Introductory Course:
$40 - Four 30-minute private lessons

Weekly Rates:
$35 One 1/2 hour private lesson per week plus unlimited Group Classes

One Family member pays the rest of the family is free & Special discounts for Law Enforcement and military personal and families.

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